SFA and FIFA respond to Rangers court case
FIFA have issued a statement saying that they are monitoring the situation closely.
Lord Nimmo Smith delivered the original verdict with the appeal dismissed by Lord Carloway.
In the appeal verdict it was stated that the SFA had acted leniently when it was within their powers to suspend or expel Rangers from the SFA. That generosity has backfired with FIFA now looking in on the matter as a member association had their authority questioned in a civil court.
The explicit punishments stated in the SFA’s rule 66 are a maximum £100,000 fine, suspension or expulsion from participation in the game, ejection from the Scottish Cup or termination of membership.
Responding to today’s verdict an SFA spokesperson said: “We are surprised by today’s verdict at the Court of Session, especially since the original sanction against Rangers FC was imposed by an independent panel chaired by a leading QC and upheld by an Appellate Tribunal chaired by a Supreme Court Judge.
“We will now consider our position with our legal advisers before making any further comment.”
Highly paid SFA chief Stewart Regan will be expected to use some leadership qualities tomorrow to deal with a crisis that could see sanctions imposed by FIFA on the international sides as well as other member clubs.
Over the last 12 months the SFA have failed to act when Rangers refused to comment on whether Craig Whyte had been disqualified as a director and refused to take action on their failure to produce audited accounts required to gain a footballing licence.
Despite the multiple problems facing Rangers including their failure to pay transfer fees dating back two seasons and imposing wage cuts on players today’s verdict was welcomed by Duff and Phelps.
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Paul Clark stated: “We welcome the decision by Lord Glennie today that vindicates the Club’s position that the original SFA judicial panel tribunal and the appellate tribunal acted beyond their powers in imposing a transfer embargo on the Club.
“The costs for this legal action have been awarded against the SFA and it is our position it is very regrettable that court action was required.
“Both we, and the SFA, will have to study the full ramifications of the judgment when it is published and either side has 21 days in which to decide the next course of action or whether they wish to appeal.”
A statement from FIFA read: “At the time of writing we have not received any communication from the Scottish FA.
“In such a case, FIFA will ask the member association to take action so that the club withdraws its request from the ordinary courts.
“FIFA will closely monitor the situation so that the issue is resolved as fast as possible.”
CLICK HERE for Rangers CVA to be published on Tuesday
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